Study Explores Factors Linked to Successful Peanut OFC

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MONDAY, Dec. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Early peanut introduction is associated with increased probability of a successful oral food challenge (OFC), with higher odds for introduction between 6 to 11 versus 4 to 6 months, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in Allergy.

Matthew Greenhawt, M.D., from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis on publicly available data from the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study. They assessed correlations between peanut tolerance, baseline peanut/egg sensitization, eczema severity/duration, age of introduction, gender, and race.

The researchers found that the odds of successful OFC at 60 months were higher with early introduction, white race, and advancing age (odds ratios, 9.2, 2.1, and 4.8, respectively), in a multiple logistic regression model. Lower odds of peanut tolerance were seen with increasing peanut wheal size, increased baseline SCORAD score, and increased kUA/L of egg serum immunoglobulin E (odds ratios, 0.58, 0.98, and 0.99, respectively). The probability of peanut tolerance was 83 percent in the early introduction arm versus 43 percent in the avoidance group with skin prick test wheal of <4 mm. A significantly higher probability of a successful OFC was seen with peanut introduction between 6 to 11 versus 4 to 6 months.

"Peanut introduction between 6 to 11 months of age was associated with the highest rates of peanut tolerance, questioning the 'urgency' of introduction before 6 months," the authors write.